In March of 2013 I heard a Pastor tell his story. What person doesn’t have a story. Joey, not his real name, has a story that needs to be told. Why am I using a fictitious name, if his story is meant to be told? Because he’s never told his congregation, and this was the first time he has told it to a group of people. He’s preparing to share his story, but also fears losing his call and respect. Once his congregation is told, I will be happy to give his name. But this story opened my eyes.<\/p>\n
Let me begin. Joey is 14 in the 70s. He knows he’s gay and has no one to turn to. In the 70s this type of lifestyle is not spoken out loud, a secret that families deny. Not unlike the present. Gay and lesbian people sometimes have no where to turn. So when your a confused teen, who do you trust?where do you go?<\/p>\n
One summer, Joey meets John (not his real name)a few years older then himself. John befriend him and a relationship between the two is formed. Yes it is sexual. John “introduces” Joey to a “friend”. After he arrives at this “friends” home he figures out why he’s there. But now he’s trapped, but figures there is nothing he could do. <\/p>\n
Well as you may have guessed, the “friend” has sex with Joey, in his own sons bedroom. This is just the beginning. When the meeting is over he is given an envelope and sent on his way. John picks up Joey, then asked for the envelope and drops him off in a park that is known for gay sex with young boys. Through the rest of the summer John continues this pattern of meeting new friends, collecting the envelope and dropping Joey at the park. Where again he is meeting people, and getting paid for sex.<\/p>\n
There at the park Joey meets two new friends, Squirrel and Stevie. That summer Squirrel and Stevie help Joey through police beatings, rapes by “customers”, and saving him from himself. Unfortunately, near the end of the summer, his closest friend, Squirrel is killed walking in front of a vehicl as Joey watches on. <\/p>\n
You see weeks prior to this night, Squirrel, Stevie and Joey had a confrontation with the police, and Squirrel was severely beaten. Buster was never really the same after that night. But then again you wouldn’t be either if someone beat you with in an inch of your life. Why was he beaten? Because he was gay. They are told they are all little faggots who don’t deserve anything, therefore the believe this themselves. Surprisingly enough,there is a police officer that does expect sex for free from the boys in the park. Hmm, the young prostitute is a “faggot”, but the officer Isn’t? What’s wrong with this picture? <\/p>\n
Once Squirrel dies, Joey doesn’t want to continue in the same way. He choose to leave Stevie and John. John doesn’t like that and as a parting gift, Joey is raped by three boys. The boys are waiting for him at a park Joey frequents in the evening. That’s a nice parting gift isn’t it?<\/p>\n
Joey kept this summer and his secret from his parents, family and friends. During the school year he learned Stevie died after drinking, passing out and dying outside in the cold. There was no funeral, no grave. Joey continues to suppress these events. It isn’t until much later in life, while helping to defend his guardian (son), the summer memory came to the surface. He was sold by the man he trusted. He was expected to have sex in a park. Wow, not the type of summer I’d want to talk about.<\/p>\n
I asked Joey his call story and if he looked back, did he see God. He replied, if Squirrel hadn’t died, he would never have left that position. He was sure he’d be dead by now, if not the very least he would have aides. Yes, he see’s God there now. He became a pastor to “escape” relationship, however he formed one any way, with God. <\/p>\n
Many church members know he’s gay, but he doesn’t flaunt it. Nor has he been in a relationship since that summer. One of his missions in life is to make people aware of the victimization of young boys into the life of prostitution Is happening. For people to understand that’s its not just the tween girls, but boys too.<\/p>\n
I ask that everyone prays for these people. Pray that they find the right support and comfort they need to not fall prey to those who exploit them. <\/p>\n
God was with Joey and will continue to be with him. We need to pray for Joey, Squirrel and Stevie and even John. Pray that they feel Gods grace and comfort. <\/p>\n
I must remind myself God is with me in everything. God is with those who read this too! Even those who don’t.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In March of 2013 I heard a Pastor tell his story. What person doesn’t have a story. Joey, not his real name, has a story that needs to be told. Why am I using a fictitious name, if his story … Continue reading